Automatic operating mechanism for electric-railway switches.



'PATENTED MAY 5, 1903.. -G. W. JOHNSTON.

AUTOMATIG OPERATING MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC RAILWAY -SWI'1GHES..

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 16, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

n 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 v No. 727,147. vPATENTED MAY 5, 1903. G. W. JOHNSTON.

AUTOMATIC OPERATING MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC RAILWAY SWITCHES. I

- Arrmonlon FILED JULY 16, 1902.

NC MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

.J i JfiZzeme. A V I M67427??? l irgywizzyzaw%wz?i&

UNITED STATES 'IPatented May 5, 1903.

AUTOMATIC OPERATING MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC-RAILWAY SWITCHES. V

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 727,147, dated May 5,1903.

Application filed July 16.1902.

York and State of New York, have inventednew and useful Improvements inAutomatic 'Operating Mechanism for Electric Railway Switches, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention relates to operating mechanism 'for electric-railwayswitches.

As is well known, it is common to operate 1 the switches of electricrailways by hand; but this requires the attendance of an operator ateach intersection of the main and branch rails of the system, whichgreatly adds to the operating expenses of the road.

Itis the purpose of my invention to provide means whereby the switchesof electric railways may be operated automatically from the car, andthereby dispense with the services of the operators now provided forthis purpose.

The invention consists of an electromagnet whose armature is operativelyconnected with.

the switch-rail, a normally open shunt-circuit between the lineconductors including said magnet, an electric switch for closing saidshunt-circuit, and. an electromagnet operatively connected with saidelectric switch and in circuit with one of the line conductors.

The invention also consists in certain features and details ofconstruction and combinations of parts, which will be hereinafter morefully described and claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is asectional viewof the switch-operating rod or bar and the solenoidsforcontrolling the movement thereof. Fig. 2 is a sectional view at therotary electric switch and the solenoid for operating the same, andFig.3 is a diagrammatic view of the device and the circuit connectionsbetween the various operative parts thereof.

Like reference numerals indicate like parts in the different views.

My invention has been illustrated in connection with an undergroundelectric-railway system; but it will be obvious that the same is equallywell adapted for use in connection with an overhead system. i Themain-track rails 1; the branch rails 2, the pivoted'switchpoint 3, andthe lineconductors 4 and 5 may Serial No. 1125.869; (No mudehl thisexception, that the couductorrail 4 is broken just in advance of theswitch, the two parts 4 and 4* thereof being electrically connectedtogether in any suitable manner, as by the wire or conductor 6. Theconductorrail4is provided with an extension 7 just beyond the point ofconnection therewith of the wire or conductor 6, the said extensionlying in line with the two parts 4 and 4 of conductor-rail. v

Operatively connected with the switch point 3 and also, if desired, withthe slotswitch is a longitudinally-movable horizontallydisposed rod orbar 8. This bar is usually pivoted to a lever 9, having a socket I inits upper end for the reception of a handlecOnstructiOn, however, Iextend the bar 8 outwardly between two pairs of magnets 11 11 and 1212.These magnets have been shown, in the form of solenoids, a common and 12and a common core 14 being provided for the magnets 11 and 12; Securedto the cores 13 and 14 is a cross-bar 15, which is attached at a pointintermediate its ends to the rod or bar 8. By this construction it willbe seen that when the magnets 11 and 11*, which are in series with eachother, are ener- -gized the rod or bar 8 will be moved longitudinally inone direction to operate'the switch-point 3 in a correspondingdirection, and that when the magnets 12 and 12*, which are in serieswith each other, are energized the rod or bar 8 will be movedlongitudinally in the opposite direction, with the result that theposition of the switch-point 3 will be reversed. V

The magnets 11 and 11 and 12 and 12 are arranged in shunt-circuitsbetween the line conductors 4 and 5," and these circuits are adapted tobe automatically closed by means of an electric switch 16, automaticallyoperashown in the form of a rotary switch and the said solenoid is incircuit with the cond notorrail 4 and the extension 7 thereof, the saidcircuit including the wire 18, leading from the conductor 4, and thewire 19, leading to bar 10, by means'of which the switch-point may bethrown by hand. According to my magnet 17 in the form. of a solenoid,The

core 13 being provided for the magnets 11 ted by a magnet -17. Theswitch 16 has been of insulating material, mounted to turn upon a shaft21, fixed in position upon the framework 22. Secured to and carried bythe disk are the rings 23 and 24 of conducting material. Also secured tothe disk 20 and projecting outwardly fromthe periphery thereof are thelugs or projections 25, 26, and 27, the same cooperating with andadapted to engage the spring-pressed contactpoint 28, connected by thewire 29 with the wire 18, heretofore referred to. The lugs 25 constitutedead contact-points, the same being out of electrical connection withany other parts of the device. The lugs 26, however, are electricallyconnected to the ring 23, and the lugs 27 are electrically connectedwith-the ring 24. The lugs 26 and 27 are alternately arranged around theperipheryof the disk 20, and between each of the lugs 26 and theadjacent lug 27 one ofthe lugs 25 is arranged. The lugs 25, 26, and 27are arranged in the manner above described at regular intervals aroundthe periphery of the disk 20.

It will of course be obvious that instead of making the disk 20of-insulating material it may be made of conducting material. If

made of the latter material, however, it will of course be necessarythat the rings 23 and 24, as'well asthe lugs 25, he insulated therefromand that the lugs 26 and 27 be also insulated therefrom, butelectrically connected with the rings 23 and 24, respectively. It willalso be obvious,as will hereinafter appear, that the lugs 25 may bedispensed with altogether. The core 30 of the solenoid 17 extendsthrough an upright 31 and has surrounding it a coil-spring 32, whichbears against said upright and against a head or disk 33 on the end ofsaid core. The spring 2 resists theinward movement of the core 30 whenthe solenoid 17 is energized and tends to move said core to its normaloutward position when the solenoid 17 has been deenergized. The saidcore 30 has a clutch connection with the rotary switch 16, so that whensaid core is moved in one direction through the action of the solenoid17 it will rotate the switch 16 through an are equivalent to thedistance between one of the lugs 25 and the next adjacent lug 26 or 27,and when said core is moved in the opposite direction through theactionof the spring 2 it will rotate the switch 16 through an arc ofequivalent length. The particular form of clutch shown by me, but

to which I do not desire to limit myself, consists of a ratchet-wheel34, secured to the disk 20, a pair of arms 35 36, pivoted to the shaft21 and extending in opposite directions from said shaft, pawls 37 '38,carried, respectively, by the arms 35 and 36 and adapted to engage theteeth of the ratchet-wheel 34 and the links 39 40, pivotally connectedto the 11 and 11, the latter solenoid being conheated through the wires47 and 44'with the conductonrail 5-. It will thus be seen that thesolenoids 12 and 12 are included in a normally open shunt-circuitbetween the conductor-rails 4and 5, including the wires 18 and 29, thecontact-point 28, one of the lugs 27, the ring 24, the brushes 41, andthe wires 42, 43, and 44.- It will also be observed that the solenoids11 and 11 are in a normally open shunt-circuit between theconductor-rails 4 and 5, including the wires 18 and 29, thecontact-point 28, one of the lugs 26, the ring 23,--

the brushes 45, and the wires 46, 47, and 44. These circnitsare normallyopen on account of the fact that the normal position of the switch 16iswith one of the lugs 25 in contact with the contact-point 28. Theshunt-cir cuits referred to are therefore broken through the switch 16and can only be closed by the operation of said switch. This operationof the switch 16 is effected automatically in the following manner: If,for example,the switchrail 3 is set for the main track and a carapproaching the switch desires to pass upon the branch track, it ismerely necessary for the motorman to continue to draw current throughthe motor on'his bar until after the extension 7 of the conductor-rail4is passed. As soon as the current-collector on the car moves in contactwith the extension 7 a circuit is closed over the following path:conductor-rail 4, Wire 18,-solenoid 17, wire 19, and extension 7,through the motor on the car, to the conductor-rail 5. As the currentover this circuit is necessarily drawn through the solenoid 17 thelatter is energized and serves to draw the core 30 thereof toward it.This action through the clutch connection de-' scribed between the'core30 and the disk 20 rotates said disk, so as to move the lug 25 away fromthe contact-point 28 and bring about contact between the adjacent lug 26and said contact-point 28. A shunt-circuit between the conductor-rails 4and 5 is then closed over the following path: wires 18 and 29,contact-point 28, lug 26, ring 23, brushes 45, wire 46, solenoids 1'1and 11, and wires 47 and 44. The. solenoids 11 and 11 are therebyenergized and serve to draw inwardly their cores l3 and 14. As thesecores are connected to the rod or bar 8 and as the latter is connectedto the switch-rail 3 the said switch-rail will he moved to a positionopposite that which it formerly occupied and the switch will be set forthe passage of the car from the main to the branch track. In themeantime, however, the car will have passed beyond the extension 7, andthe circuit through the solenoid 17 and that through the solenoids 11and 11 will be broken. The, switch-point'3 will remain in the positionto which it has been moved; but the core 30 of the solenoid 17 will bemoved through the action of th'espring 32 to its normal outwardposition. During this movement ofthe core 30 through the action of theclutch described the disk 20 of the rotary switch 16 will be moved so asto separate the lug 26 from the contact-point 28 and bring in engagementwith said contact=point the next adjacent log 25, which is a deadcontact-point.' If a car approach ng -h? witch desires to pass in thedirection foh which the switch is set, it is merely necessary for themotorman to cut off his motor and move by the momentum of his carpastthe extension 7 of the conductor-rail 4. Neither one of the circuitsabove traced will then be closed, and consequently no action will takeplace on the switch-point 3. In the event that the car stops on the rail7, it is merely necessary in order to reverse the position of the switchto turn the current on or ofi as often as it is desired to change theposition. If the switch-point; however, be set for the passage of thecar to the branch rails 2 and an approaching car desires to contin as valong the main rails 1, it is merely necessary for the motorman tocontinue to draw'current from the conductor-rails until after theextension 7 of the conductor-rail 4 is passed. When contact takes placebetween the current-collector on the car and the extension 7 the circuitis closed, as before, through the solenoid 17, and the latter isenergized. When so energized, the core 30 is drawn inwardly toward thesolenoid l7, and through the clutch referred to the disk 20 of theelectric switch 16 is moved so as to separate the lug 25 from thecontact-point 28 and move the adjacent lug 27 into engagement with saidcontact-point. A shunt-circuit between the conductor-rails eand 5 isthen closed over the following path: .wires 18 and 29, contactpoint 28,lug 27, ring 24, brushes etl, Wire 42, solenoids 12 and 12, and wires 43and 4A. The solenoids l2 and 12 will then be energized, and the cores l3and 14: thereof will be moved inwardly toward said solenoids.- Theresult of this action will be to move the rod or bar8 and theswitch-rail 3 connected therewith in a direction opposite that in whichthey were formerly moved, so that the switch will be set for the passageof the car along the. main-track rails 1. As soon as the carpassesbeyond the extension .7 the circuit through the solenoid 17-is broken,as well as that through the solenoids 12 and 12. The switchrail 3 willremain in the position to which it was moved; but the core 30 of thesolenoid 17 .will be returned to its normal outward posisystem,

which sections are electrically connected with tion through the actionof the spring 32. When so moved, the core 30 through the clutchdescribed will rotate the disk 20 of the switch 16 so as to separate thelug 27 from the contact-point 28 and bring about the engagement of theadjacent lug 25 with said contact-point. It will thus be seen that theonly thing necessary-$0 be done by the motorman in order to operate theswitch 3 in one direction or the other is to leave on the currentthrough the motor of his car while approaching said switch. If it bedesired to pass in the direction for which the switch 3 is set, the onlyaction necessary by the motor-.

man is to out off the current through his motor as he approaches saidswitch. The opera-v tion of the device is automatic throughout, and bythe use of the same the services of attendants or operators at eachswitch may be dispensed with.

I have described the lugs or contacts 25, 26, and 27 on the disk 20 ofthe switch 16 as projecting beyond the periphery of said disk. It isobvious, however, that these lugs or contacts may be otherwise disposedwithout departingfrom the nature or spirit of my invention. It is alsoobvious that for the particular form of rotary switch shown anddescribed I may substitute'any other form of rotary switch or, indeed,mayemploya switch which is not mounted for rotation. Ido not thereforelimit myself to any of the details of construction herein shown anddescribed, except as defined by the appended claims.

Having now described my invention, what I'claim-as new, and desire tosecure by- Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination with a railway-switch andthe line conductors of anelectric-railway one of which is made in sections,

each other on opposite sides of said switch, of a conductor extensionlocated between and inline with the sections of the sectional conductor,an electromagnet for'operating said switch, a normally openshunt-circuit between said conductors including said magnet, a magnet incircuit between said extension and one of said conductor-sections,andmeans III-5 actuated by the latter magnetfor autom at-' ically closingsaid shunt-circuit.

2. The combination with a railway-switch and the line conductors of anelectric-railway system, one of which is made in sections,

I which sections are electrically connected with each other on oppositesides of said switch,

of a conductor extension located between and in line with the sectionsof the sectional conductor, an electromagnet for operating said switch,a normally open shunt-circuit between said condu'ctors, including saidmagnets, an electric switch controllingsaid shuntcircnit, and anelectromagnet in circuit be tween said extension and. one of saidconductor-sections for automatically actuating said electric switch andthereby closing said shunt-circuit.

I and theline conductors of an electric-railway 3. The combination witha railway-switch system, one of which is made in sections, whichsections are electrically connected with each other on opposite sides ofsaid switch, of a conductor extension located between and in line withthe sections of the sectional conductor, an electromagnet for operatingsaid switch, a rotary electricswitch, a shunt-circuit between saidconductors normally broken through said electric switch and includingofa conductor extension located between andin line with the sections ofthesect-ional conductor, an electromagnet for operating said switch, anelectric switch having contacts thereon, a fixed contact adapted to beengaged by the contacts on said switch, a sh untcircuit between saidconductors normally broken through said electric switch, the sameincluding said magnet and said fixed contact,

a and a magnet in circuit between said extension and one of saidconductor-sections, for operating said electric switch, to cause theengagement of one of the contacts thereon with said fixed contact andthereby close said shuzlilt-circuit, as and for the purpose set ort 5.The combination with a railway-switchv and the line conductors of anelectric-railway system, one of. which is made in sections,

. which sections are electrically connected with each other on oppositesides of said switch, of aconductor extension located between and inline with the sections of the sectional conductor, two electromagnetswhose armatures are connected with said switch for operating the same inopposite directions, an electric switch having alternately-arrangedcontacts thereon, a fixed contact adapted to be encaged by the contactson said switch, shnntcircuits between said conductors normally brokenthrough said electric switch, one of which includes one of said magnets,one set of the contacts on said electric switch, and said fixed contact,and the oth'erof which includes the other of said magnets, the other setof contacts on said electric switch and said fixed contact, and a magnetin circuit between said extension and one of said conductor-sections foroperating said electric switch, to cause the successiveengagement of thecontacts thereon with sai fixed contact, and thereby alternately closesaidshuntcircuits, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination with a railway-switch and the line conductors of anelectric-railway system, one of which is made in sections,

which sectionsare electrically connected with each other on oppositesides of said switch, of

a conductor extension located between and in line with the sections ofthe sectional conductor, two solenoids, a common core therefor connectedwith said switch for operating the same. in opposite directions, anelectric switch having alternately-arranged contacts thereon,shuntcircuits between said conductors normally broken through saidelectric switch, one of which includesone set of said contacts and busof said solenoids, and the other of which includes the other set of saidcontacts and the other of said solenoids, and a magnet in circuitbetween said extension and one of said conductor-sections for operatingsaid electric switch to close one or the other of said shun t-circuits,as and for the purpose set forth.

7.- The combination witha railway-switch and the line conductors of anelectric-railway system, one of which is made in sections,

which sections are electrically connected with each other on oppositesides of said switch, of

a conductor extension located between and in line with the sections ofthe sectional c0nductor, two electromagnets whose armatures areconnected with said switch for operating the same in oppositedirections',-a rotary electric switch having alternately-arrangedcontacts thereon, a fixed contact, adapted to be engaged by the contactson said switch, shuntcircuits between said conductors normally brokenthrough said electric switch, one of which includes one of said magnets,one set of the contacts on said electric switch, and said fixed contact,and the other of which includes the other of said magnets, the other setof contacts on said electric switch, and said fixed contact, a' magnetin circuit between said extension and one of said con-- ductor-sectionsfor rotating said electric switch to cause the successive engagement ofthe contacts thereon with said fixed contact and thereby alternatelyclose said shunt-circuits, and means for rotating said electric switchto break-the engagement betweensaid contacts when the latter magnet isdenergized, as and for the purpose set forth.

8. The combination with the line couduc tors of an electric-railwaysystem, and a railswitch, of two electromagnets whose armatures areconnected with said switch for operating the same in oppositedirections, a retary electric switch having alternately-arrangedcontacts thereon, a fixed contact, adapted to be engaged by the contactson said switch, shunt-circuits between said conductorsnormallybrokenthrough said electric switch, one of which includes one of said magnets,one set of the contacts on said electric'switch, and said fixed contact,and the other of which includes the other of said magnets, the other setof contacts on saidelectric switch, and said fixed contact, a magnet incircuit with one of said conductors for rotating said electric switch tocause the successive the successive engagement of the contacts circuitwith one of said conductors, a core spring acting upon said core, inopposition to system, one of which is made in sections,

engagement of the contacts thereon with said fixed contact, and a springacting in opposition to thelatt-er magnet for rotatingsaid electricswitch to break the engagement between said contacts when the lattermagnet is deenergized, as and for the purpose set forth.

9. The combination with the line conductors of an electric-railwaysystem, and a railswitch, of two electromagnets whose armatures areconnected with said switch for op-- erating the same in oppositedirections, a ro-. tary electric switch having alternately-arrangedcontacts thereon, a fixed contact, adapted to be engaged by the contactson said SWiiSOh SlIUHIi-ClI'CUltS between said conductors normallybroken through said electric switch, one of which includes one of saidmagnets, one set of the contacts on said electric switch, and said fixedcontact, and the other of which includes the other of said magnets, theother set of contacts on said electric switch, and said fixed contact, asolenoid in therefor having a clutch connection with said electricswitch, for rotating the same to cause thereon with said fixed contactand thereby alternatelyclose said shunt-circuits, and a said solenoid,for rotating saidelectric switch to break the engagement between saidcontacts when said solenoid is deuergized, as andfor the purpose setforth.

10. The combination with a railway-switch and the line conductorsof anelectric-railway which sections are electrically connected with eachother on'opposite sides of said switch, of a conductor extension'locatedbetween and in line with the sections of the sectional conductor, apair. of electromagnets operatively connected with said switch, anelectric switch, two normally open shunt-circuits between said extensionand the other conductor, including respectively said magnets,and amagnet in circuit withsaid extension and the adjacentOODdflGliOl-SOGlil0fl, the latter magnet being operatively connectedwith said electric switch for successively closing said shuntcircuits,as and for the purpose set forth.

11. The combination with a railway-switch and the line conductors of anelectric-railway system, one of which is made in sections, whichsections are electrically connected with each other on opposite sides ofsaid switch, of a conductor extension located between and in line withthe sections" of the sectional con duotoi a pair of solenoids, having acommon i core connected with said switch for operating said fixedcontact, a solenoid in circuit with said extension and the adjacentconductorsection, the core of the latter solenoid being connected withsaid electric switch for'rotating it, to cause the successive engagementof the contacts thereon with said fixed contact and thereby alternatelyclose said shuntcircuits, and means for rotating said electric switch tobreak the engagement between said contacts, when the latter solenoid isdeenergized, as and for the purpose set forth.

12. The combination with a. railway-switch and the line conductors of anelec trio-railway system, one of which is made in sections, whichsections are connected with each other on opposite sides 05 said switch,of a conductor extensionlocated between and in line with said sections,a pair of solenoids, a common core therefor operatively connectedt5\said switch, a rotary electric switch comprisinga disk, a pair ofconducting-rings thereon insulated from each other, and two sets ofcontacts on said disk, electrically connected respectively to saidrings, a solenoid in circuit between said extension and the adjacentconductor-section, a core therefor, a clutch connection between thelatter core and said disk, a spring for moving the latter core inopposition to the solenoid to which it belongs, a

contact adapted to be engaged by the con-' tacts on said disk,electrical-connection between the same and said sectional cond uctor,

and circuit connections between said rings and the other conductor ofthe system, the same including respectively those solenoids whose commoncore is operatively connected with said rail-switch, as and for thepurpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I havehereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

O. L. WATSON, F. G. CART.

